Despite his status as one of the team’s top players, the Oklahoma City Thunder have gone 26-5 without Chet Holmgren this season. Frankly, that may say more about Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault or MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander than him. Not to be forgotten is offseason pickup Isaiah Hartenstein, who has stepped up in the wake of the 2022 No. 2 pick’s hip injury.
Nonetheless, though a core player, Holmgren has turned into more of a luxury piece than necessity in OKC.
Thunder’s Chet Holmgren Receives Injury Update
Per a team report (h/t Locked on Thunder’s Rylan Stiles), Holmgren will be re-evaluated in three-to-five weeks. After suffering a right iliac wing fracture on Nov. 10, he was initially given an eight-to-ten week recovery timeline. Thus, the big man has progressed steadily.
Thunder Injury Update: Chet Holmgren is continuing to progress in his return to play protocol and will be re-evaluated in approximately three to five weeks.
Per Thunder
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) January 18, 2025
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It does seem like his recovery a bit behind the curve though. If so, the Thunder could just being cautious, resisting the urge to rush him back.
Chet Holmgren at today’s shootaround pic.twitter.com/Th0k0FfbTr
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) January 16, 2025
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After all, he missed his entire would-be rookie season with a Lisfranc injury. Consequently, Holmgren’s now played just 92 games since being drafted three years ago.
Suffice it to say, that’s not an ideal ratio.
Joel Embiid’s Example
Like Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Holmgren can clear his early career hurdles. To that point, after being drafted third overall in 2014, Embiid didn’t make his NBA debut until 2016. Though he missed two years with injury, he’s still managed to be a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate.
Embiid’s health is once again a major concern but he’s now nearly 31 years old. Holmgren will turn 23 in May, so even if his body eventually broke down like his, Oklahoma City should have a lot of time to build with him. With that in mind, Holmgren was playing quite well before he was sidelined by a hard fall.
He Could Only Help
This season, Holmgren’s recorded 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per contest while converting 37.8 percent of his three-pointers.
Chet Holmgren 29 PTS on 8/14 vs HOU
The thought of the best team in the West adding this dude back at some point… pic.twitter.com/VcrSouGBHD
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) December 26, 2024
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His rebounding average, block average, and three-point percentages were all career-highs. His outside stroke also helps differentiate him from Hartenstein, who has gone 0-11 from deep this season. Adding him to the roster while the Thunder are rolling will only help them. Not in the least because they lack optimal depth at center.
When he does return, Holmgren could slot right back into the first unit, replacing Hartenstein. However, he could also play alongside him, which would require less banging around down low. Indeed, Holmgren’s future might be at power forward.
Like Cleveland Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley, he can play both the 4 and 5 but may be better suited for the former from a physical standpoint.
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